Make new friends, but keep the old. Some are silver and the others gold.

They say you can’t bottle happiness, but military wives know that’s not true. We must bottle up a little bit of our happiness in order to survive." - Annie Radigan

We’ve begun the process of saying our goodbyes. Normally I’m fairly good at this ritual. I rationalize it by thinking it’s not really goodbye, it’s only “until next time”. 
Still, saying goodbye isn't easy. That moment of separation can be heart-wrenching.


I know people come into our lives for a reason. Each move and friendship gathered along the way has made me the wife, the mother, the auntie.... the person that I am today.
How fortunate for us that it's so easy to stay in touch. Dare I say - even having earnest, purposeful communication via the Internet. (Those who mock FB obviously haven't PCS'd all around the globe ;)

So for now....
Goodbye Friends.

It's a Leap Year

...And amidst all the business of moving, we somehow managed to celebrate the big birthday. Double Digits!
Of course I'd be fibbing if I led you to believe I planned a great party complete with teens and Wii dancing. No - It just so happened that the youth group Dave has worked with during our time here wanted to have a goodbye for Dave. 
Instant party!

Summer made a beautiful exit last night

DreamNight at the Zoo 2011

Kudos to Cheyenne Mountain Zoo!

Anyone who knows G understands his love of the Zoo.
Any zoo and every zoo.
It's a 'must do' for our little family (and any fellow travelers who happen to be with us) no matter which city or which continent we happen to be visiting.

A few weeks back we received an invite to an annual special event at our local zoo for those of us who have an 'Exceptional Family Member'.
We prepared for an "exciting night .... as you visit dream stations, enjoy delicious food, and meet some of our animal friends."

The anticipation at our house was about as fun as it gets for G.

June 3rd, 5:30p.m. finally arrived!

We spent a full half hour watching the river otters performing the same routine over and over. Laughed over the pot bellied pig's enthusiasm for his dinner. And were fully entertained at the grizzly bears antics.
The only downer, G was so homesick for his cousin Hannah he said his heart hurt.

We enjoyed the pace. Loved the enthusiasm of the volunteers. Relished seeing so many families enjoying one another.
The planning that goes into an event like this makes my heart swell. Just because

Just to let you know . . . .

11 months into this Colorado Springs gig and my high altitude baking skills still stink!

Random Thoughts

Dear Cheerful Facebook Friend,
Facebook hasn't been such a cozy place for me lately. But I love your 'Choice' to be so darn optimistic! When I pop in every once in a while, I see your love and enthusiasm for each new day. How refreshing is that little blurb of happiness amongst all the political/ill-information/name calling. Keep it up!

Your fellow Roadrunner,
Chan

*****

Band Guys,
You had some pretty big shoes to fill in the NavyLang family's eyes after such a good experience with Ms. Goldhorn in Guam. But you did it!
I would have to say your program made Madi's transition here one of her easiest yet. You teach so much more than music and band. The gift you share with these middle-schoolers will stay with them for life.

With Heartfelt Gratitude,
A Timber-tot Mom

*****

Dear Elements of the Earth,
I now know your secret weapon. Wind! How naive I was to only consider fire or water to be the destructive ones. Little did I know - being exposed to your strength for days (or months) on end can bring a stay at home mom to near despair. (Not to mention really making my yard look pretty silly with flowerless stems poking up everywhere.)

Please, give me a break.  Pretty please with stems on top?
Windblown

*****

My Dearest Family,
We all know my daily threats of running away are completely hollow. As blissful as it sounds to visit the Dawgs in Hawaii, trying BBQ in Memphis, or seeing Broadway with Christie - I can't imagine doing it without my travel buddies.  So to set the record straight - when I say I want to just run away, it really means "Let's all just run away from the monotony of daily life!"

So Obviously Dropping A Hint,
Mom

*****

Blooming!

One of my favorite parts of the day is driving the kids to school. I love when I can glimpse at an ordinary everyday scene and morph it into something special. I swear, I've actually witnessed Purple Mountain Majesty on many of our morning transports. 


This morning's drive, however, was impossible to morph. The fog and low clouds made the hour seem earlier than it was. My mind has been constantly pre-occupied with family in Salt Lake.  
I'm overwhelmed with planning a silly church party. And I had just snarled at G for turning in a late assignment at school.


As I came up on the usual red light at the intersection, we sat in uncomfortable silence - the kids and I each lost in our own thoughts. I'm not sure why, but every morning at this same light I always think of one particular friend and her favorite saying, "Bloom where you are planted". This morning's episode resonated especially strong.


I'm not blooming. My roots aren't even shallow.  In fact, to be completely honest I haven't given this new 'hood a fair chance.
And I need to. 
The kids are thriving, Dave enjoys the SG office, and I have the moodiest weather patterns on earth to keep me entertained.


The past couple of days have given me a sweet taste of spring, a hint of the promise that faith would be rewarded.
I'm taking my friend Lori's advice - I've got some gardening to do!

Random Thoughts

Dear vet,
I'm curious as to how many pet parents are actually successful with your advice of using green beans or carrots as a "Treat"? Molly's medication may cause a ravenous appetite, but it sure doesn't decrease her taste buds.

Befuddled,
Molly's Momma

****

Mother Nature,
I must sing your praises for giving Colorado Springs an average close to 300 days of sunshine per year. We have seen some bitter cold days so far, but that blue sky and vitamin D sure make it easier to deal with.

With gratitude,
Displaced Islanders

****

Dear Jones',
Please stop tempting me to try keeping up with you.

Regards,
Trying to be content.

****

My favorite Teak Lady,
I love my sturdy souvenirs from Guam.
And I love that none of The Jones' have my same stuff.

Hafa,
Satisfied

Random thoughts

Dear City Planners,
I don't understand the thought process used while planning the Northeast corner of the Springs. I long for a straight road that takes me east/west.  One that doesn't make me carsick from all the ups and downs or the winding twists and turns.

Regards,
Gas Guzzler

***

Sweet Sunflower Boys,
I love my yard. It makes me smile every day.

With gratitude,
Mrs. L

***

Dearest G,
Your List is a resource that makes me both laugh and pull my hair out at the same time.

Merry Christmas,
Mrs. Claus

***

Dear 2010 Christmas Cards,
I'm still iffy on whether to create you or not. Finding a photo of G is just one of the obstacles that stand in my way.

Sincerely,
Wishy Washy

The Mountain

More than a few friends have asked, "What is this mountain you keep referring to?"

I guess I've taken for granted that most folks have seen Stargate. (Or maybe that's just my nephew and nieces that are science fiction crazed.)

The Cheyenne Mountain Complex is the official name. And just as the name says - it is one complex location!

Trying not to use MilSpeak, let me give you a very brief overview. (When you have ample time, Dave would LOVE to give you every detail.)

The design of this facility makes it one of the most unusual installations in the world. Apart from the fact that it is housed 2,000 feet (600 m) inside the granite mountain, the interior was actually designed by the US Navy. It is also notable in that it houses a bi-national United States and Canadian organization charged with the missions of aerospace warning, aerospace control and maritime warning for North America.

Highlights:

*25 ton blast doors.

*4.5 acre of excavated chambers & tunnels

*15 buildings. 12 of those buildings are 3 stories tall. All of them freestanding, without contact to the mountain itself.

How, you ask?

All of the buildings are mounted on 1,319 steel springs, each weighing approximately 1,000 pounds. The springs allow the complex to move 12 inches in any one direction.

*To make the complex self-sufficient, adequate space in the complex is devoted to support functions. A dining facility, medical facility with dental office, pharmacy and a two-bed ward; two physical fitness centers with exercise equipment and sauna; a small base exchange, chapel, and barber shop are all located within the complex.

We like to sum it up by likening it to an aircraft carrier built inside the mountain.

Time.com has a great photo tour. Giving some pretty cool glimpses into what most of us will never actually see. Click here to take a gander.

Want even better photos of inside?

Cnet had the best photo tour I could find. Don't miss their descriptions that accompany each photo on the right hand side. It's like taking a quickie engineering class for dumbies.

Seriously, go look at them!

A trip to the complex doesn't happen for Dave daily. In fact, it's rather rare. And thank goodness! The process of just getting inside to a work station is quite cumbersome.

However, we can't help be get excited at one project associated with NORAD. Tracking Santa! Having been such active participants in this tradition since the kids were just little, we're excited to be on the operating end of it this year.

To read the story of how NORAD Tracks Santa all began, click here.

*photos courtesy of norad.mil

Scavenger Saturday

We've been seen scavenging around the neighborhood.

A fellow neighbor called me on it.

Guilty!

In all actuality, we've been gathering wood for the fire pit. It's hard for me to justify spending money on a bundle of wood when there's plenty scattered about from all the new construction.

So we decided, why not take that abandoned wood and create something fun.

Dave put together a couple of crates,

... we scavenged cans from the garbage (my own, by the way) for the tin pumpkins,

... and scavenged my stash of vinyl for the sign.

Colorado, the Front Range

I think it took an ariel view (from atop Pike's Peak) to really appreciate what the Front Range really means.

It's all so overwhelming . . . .

I need to figure out how to keep the island mentality we've come to love and embrace over the past 6 years and apply it to living back in the 24/7 world.

First Impressions

As our sun kissed faces looked down from the tin can sized SkyWest airplane, I couldn't help but notice the snow tipped mountains we were flying over. After we landed, the reality that we have put the tropical lifestyle on hold truly sank in.

My first impressions of Colorado Springs: it looked like a prairie and I swear I saw Little House. Where were all the trees? And I sure as heck didn't any Springs!

20 minutes north of the airport, and an increase of 2000 feet in elevation - we saw Casa de Lang (isn't Spanish a first language on the mainland?) my face did light up a bit.

I was impressed - we did a pretty good job making all those decisions via email. Not to mention Adam with Classic Homes was truly a godsend for us!

With a huge sigh of relief, we ventured out to see more of the area that will be home for the next 3 years . . . .

We've traded in boonie dogs and chickens for boonie deer and foul of some sort. They looked like turkeys to me...

Statues of various American Frontier themes have replaced the palm trees that used to dot our landscape... 

The NavyLang Adventure continues!